Messages from FA are completely unreliable until after budgets are set; it's kind of a bug. On the other hand, if you can make the offer he wants right now-- if the budgets are set and the signing period is open-- he will sign for what he wants. Players will always sign for their (actual, not bug) demands.

Posted by david575 on 1/13/2013 10:38:00 PM (view original):i've had it happen before where a player you are trying to resign gets exactly what he asks for, and turns it down. has anyone else had that?

Only as a rounding error on a 3 year contract that could be corrected by adding one dollar.

Unless you're talking about the open signing period, in which case he will sometimes "accept" it but not sign, waiting to see if he can get more money.

Posted by david575 on 1/13/2013 10:38:00 PM (view original):i've had it happen before where a player you are trying to resign gets exactly what he asks for, and turns it down. has anyone else had that?

What they say from the time budgets are set & FA starts can't be trusted. Go by what they said at the end of the previous season. If the season starts and they're saying "I'll play for whoever shows me the money" that seems to mean they are going to test FA, even if you match their offer. I've had it happen more than once. Never had a FA with that statement accept an offer.

Posted by david575 on 1/13/2013 10:38:00 PM (view original):i've had it happen before where a player you are trying to resign gets exactly what he asks for, and turns it down. has anyone else had that?

The only time I've seen this is when a guy says something like " Unless you blow me away with a great offer I'm testing free agency". In this instance he will reject an offer that is exactly what his "demands" are.

Posted by david575 on 1/9/2013 9:42:00 PM (view original):
Elite pitcher in question is 32, and declined slightly this offseason from the end of last year.

Last year, he said he wanted to test FA.

This year, it says his priority is "making the playoffs" and wants 3 years 8 million.

Do you think he would actually resign for this, and how much should i factor in that he wouldn't sign last year? what would you offer?

I am pretty sure that in the case you refer to here, the guy will sign for 8M X 3.